Primer for small-arms ammunition



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' "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

i HARLEY T. PEGK, OF LEBANON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE PETERS CARTRIDGE COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

PRIMER FOR SMALL-ARMS AMMUNITION.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARLEY T. PEGK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lebanon, in the county of Warren and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Primers for Small- Arms Ammunition, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object the provision of primers for small arms ammunition which shall be of improved composition and efficiency.

The invention is exemplified in the composition of material described in the following specification, and it is more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

At present there are two well-known types of small arms primers, namely, center and rim-fire primers. A center-fire primer is composed of a brass, copper or gilding metal cup into which is loaded under pressure the explosive compound which is cemented or held in place by gum, collodion, or some other adhesive, or it may be covered by a paper or tinfoil disk which is held in place by a similar adhesive. The rim-fire primers are contained in the head of the cartridge case within the annular rim or cavity provided for this purpose. The priming composition is introduced by means of centrifugal force and projected outwardly from the center into t e cavity. It is held in place by gum, collodion, or some suitable adhesive.

use of di-plumbic di-trinitro-resorcinol in a priming composition for ammunition. At the present time most priming compositions in common use contain as an essential element mercury fulminate and many attempts have been made to produce a satisfactory substitute for mercury fulminate for the reason that a primer containing this ingredient has certain objectionable features, among which are the injurious effect of fulminate of mercury upon the metal with which it comes in contact.

In a center-fire or rim-fire primer made according to my invention, the substance diplumbic di-tri-nitro-resorcinol is used to replace mercury fulminate and may be substituted for mercury fulminate in all standard and well known priming compositions. Di-plumbic di-tri-nitro-resorcinol has the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 24, 1920.

formula Pb,O,,C,,H,(NO and is represented graphically as follows:

C.O--Pb-O.C NO2.C/ ono NO2CI/WQNO2 no 00 00 on N82 It is superior to mercury fulminate with respect to the fact that it explodes when used 1n a priming composition in a more progressive manner thus producing a primer which does not materially raise the barrel pressure within the fire arm. Moreover, it has no injurious effect such as is possessed by mercury fulminate on the metal of the cartridge case, head, primer cup or anvil. Di-plumbic di-tri-nitro-resorcinol is prepared by precipitation when tri-nitro-resorcinol in the form of one of its soluble salts is added to a solution of a soluble lead salt which is almost neutral or only slightly acid. It is washed and stored in a wet condition and handled in a manner similar to mercury fulminate. The following priming mixtures are given by way of example to illustrate priming compositions exemplifying the present invention:

I (a) 60% di-plumbic di-tri-nitro-resorcinol (b) 35% di-plumbic di-tri-nitro-resorcinol 40% ground glass.

5 30% antimony sulfid.

Specifically my invention relates to the 20% ground glass 15% potassium chlorate.

Fuel ingredients other than antimony sulfid, such as copper, lead, or barium sulphocyanids, or charcoal, sulfur or other fuels, may be used. Oxidizing agents other than potassium chlorate, such as potassium or barium nitrate or barium or strontium chlorate or peroxid or other oxidizing agents may be used. In'all of the compositions diplumbic di-tri-nitro-resorcinol is the substance which imparts to the primer the satisfactory degree of sensitiveness, the correct rate of combustion and heat of flame which is needed to produce a satisfactory quality of primer.

A satisfactory primer may also be produced by substituting di-plumbic di-tri-nitro-resorcinol for a portion only of the mercury fulminate in well-known priming compositions. An example of such a prim- I claim ing composition is 1. A priming composition containing di- 15 plumbic di-tri-nitro-resorcinol.

2. Priming composition containing an oxidizing agent, a fuel and di-plumbic di- 15% fulminate of mercury 20% di-plumbic di-tri-nitro-resorcinol 33? 53231 53 5 tri-nitro-resorcinol. H

O y 3. Primlng compositlon contalning an 20 The proportions of the ingredients shown oxidizing agent, fulminate of mercury, a

in the above illustrations may have to be fuel and di-plumbic di-tri-nitro-resorcinol.

10 Varied under different circumstances and In testimony whereof I have signed my conditions and when used with diflerent name to this specification on this 8th day powders, but they can readily be ascertained of J une, A. D. 1920. by any one skilled in the art. HARLEY T. PECK. 

